Scientists have determined that Antarctic krill, a primary food source for marine mammals, convert microplastics into nanoplastics in their digestive systems, representing a previously undiscovered threat to the environment. The research results conducted by a team from Griffith University led by Amanda Dawson were published on Thursday in the journal Nature Communications. This study first revealed the ability of krill to physically induce a change in the microplastics they ingest.
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Microplastics are plastic particles smaller than five millimeters that harm marine life. Antarctic krill, known as Antarctic krill, are important for the environment as they serve as food for many marine mammals. Scientists have warned that microplastics in the oceans pose a significant risk to large animals such as whales, sharks, and mantas (the species Manta birostris) that ingest ‘contaminated’ krill. The research showed that krill can grind polyethylene micro-particles into nano-particles.
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Professor Bengtson Nash from Griffith states that the research reveals “previously undiscovered dynamics in the threat posed by plastic pollution.” Nash noted that this means that the biological degradation of microplastics into nanoplastics is likely widespread within most ecosystems. He added that the harmful effects of microplastic digestion need further study to encompass the potential effects of nanoplastics on cells.
A large number of studies in the field of marine ecology show the existential threat posed by millions of tons of plastic waste that end up in the oceans each year.
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The United Nations Ocean Organization has called this a “planetary crisis” at a time when it is estimated that global plastic production will continue to rise.
